British passport (Gibraltar)

The Gibraltar passport is a British passport issued to British Citizens and British Overseas Territory Citizens who live in, or have a connection (for example by birth) with Gibraltar. Gibraltar passports are issued by the Passport Office of the Gibraltar Civil Status and Registration Office. Since 2005, passports issued in Gibraltar have been biometric.

Gibraltar passport
The front cover of a contemporary Gibraltar biometric passport (pre March 2019).
Gibraltar ePassport information page prior to 2020
TypePassport
Issued by Governor of Gibraltar on behalf of
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
(on the advice of the
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs), at the request of
HM Government of Gibraltar made to the
Deputy Governor of Gibraltar
EligibilityBritish citizenship and/or British Overseas Territories citizenship connected to Gibraltar

As a result of the British Nationality Act 1981, Gibraltarians were made British Overseas Territories citizens by default, but could apply for registration as a British citizen ("an entitlement that cannot be refused") under section 5 of the Act. Under the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, all British Overseas Territories citizens have the right to register as British citizens.[1]

Until 31 January 2020, Gibraltarians were considered British citizens for EU purposes, making them full citizens of the European Union with all consequential rights and entitlements. Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, Gibraltar is no longer part of the EU and its citizens ceased to be EU citizens, although they continue to enjoy the same rights in the EU during the transition period until 31 December 2020.

Similar to the UK, new Gibraltarian passports will be blue. However, the timescale for their introduction has not been confirmed[2].

Gibraltarians travelling within the European Union, EEA and Switzerland are entitled to use a Gibraltar identity card instead of a Gibraltar passport as a travel document.

Differences

British passports issued in Gibraltar differ from UK issued ones only in some of the wording but otherwise have the same status. The word "Gibraltar" is added beneath "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and on the information page. The only other difference is that Gibraltar-issued passports replace the mention of Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State with The Governor of Gibraltar:

The Governor of Gibraltar requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.[3]

Historical Passports

See also

References
  1. Rights of BOTC's Archived March 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Existing passports do not need to be replaced with new Blue British passports, until they expire, the Govt has told GBC". www.gbc.gi. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  3. Inside front cover of a regular UK passport

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